My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

could even offer some

is so pretty,

motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss

must sing the

must close her eyes

must blow

Julian that there was no need to go to

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

she lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking

gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish.

thank you!” their parents

faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days.

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to

she turned and

inside her apartment and about to

door was propped open by a

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

out on business?

house and shut

been getting along fine without

two steps back. Why are you

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want

step he approached her, forcing her back

had no idea what she

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged